Medicare does not pay for Visiting Angels services
Visiting Angels is a private home care company that provides non-medical information — help with bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and companionship. Medicare does not cover services from Visiting Angels or similar private home care agencies. Medicare covers only medical care delivered by licensed professionals, such as skilled nursing or physical therapy ordered by your doctor after a hospital stay or may have access to event.
If you need in-home help with daily tasks, you will pay Visiting Angels directly out of pocket. Costs vary by location and the number of hours you need, but typically range from $20 to $30 per hour. Some people use long-term care insurance, Medicaid (not Medicare), or family resources to pay for these services.
Key Takeaways
- Medicare Part A, B, and D do not cover non-medical in-home care from private agencies like Visiting Angels.
- Medicare covers skilled nursing care and therapy at home only when ordered by a doctor after hospitalization or a may have access to medical event.
- Medicaid, not Medicare, may cover some in-home care costs if you meet income and asset limits that vary by state.
- Long-term care insurance, Veterans benefits, or out-of-pocket payment are common ways seniors pay for private home care services.
- Your doctor can refer you to Medicare-covered home health services if you need skilled care, which is different from personal information.
What Medicare does cover at home
Medicare Part A covers skilled nursing care and home health services when specific conditions are met. Your doctor must order the care, you must be homebound or have difficulty leaving home, and the care must be medically necessary — meaning it treats an illness or injury, not just helps with daily living.
Covered services include wound care, medication management, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy delivered by licensed nurses and therapists. A home health aide may also visit to help with bathing or dressing, but only as part of a skilled care plan ordered by your doctor. This is different from hiring a private companion or personal care assistant like Visiting Angels.
To receive Medicare home health services, you typically need a hospital stay of at least three days first, or your doctor must document that you are homebound and need skilled care. The services are provided by a Medicare-certified home health agency, not a private pay company.
When you might need private home care instead
Many seniors need help with tasks that Medicare does not cover: preparing meals, light housekeeping, grocery shopping, medication reminders that are not clinical, bathing for hygiene rather than medical reasons, or companionship. These are called activities of daily living or ADLs, and they fall outside Medicare's scope.
If you live alone and cannot safely manage these tasks, or if you need supervision because of memory loss or confusion, a private home care service like Visiting Angels may be right for you. The company matches caregivers to your needs and handles scheduling and payroll. You pay them directly, usually by the hour.
Some families hire private care to fill gaps — for example, Medicare-covered home health might visit three times a week, but you need help every day. Private care can supplement what Medicare provides.
Medicaid coverage for in-home care
Medicaid, the joint federal-state program for low-income people, does cover some in-home personal care and information with daily living. This is separate from Medicare and has different rules. Medicaid is means-tested, meaning your income and assets must fall below your state's limits to may have access to.
Each state runs its own Medicaid program and sets its own income thresholds and covered services. Some states cover in-home care broadly; others cover it only for people in nursing homes who choose to stay home instead. You must explore through your state's Medicaid office, usually called the Department of Social Services or Department of Human Services.
If you think you might may have access to for Medicaid, contact your state Medicaid office or call 211 to be referred to a local benefits counselor who can walk you through the process. They can tell you whether in-home care is covered in your state and what the income limits are.
Other ways to pay for private home care
Long-term care insurance is a private insurance product that some people buy years before they need care. If you have a policy, it may cover part or all of the cost of in-home care, including services from Visiting Angels. Check your policy documents or call your insurance company to see what is covered and what you must pay out of pocket.
Veterans benefits may cover in-home care if you are a veteran or the surviving spouse of a veteran. The Department of Veterans Affairs offers Aid and Attendance benefits and other programs that can help pay for personal care. Contact your local VA office or call 1-800-827-1000 to learn whether you may be may be able to access.
Many families pay for private home care directly from savings, retirement accounts, or help from family members. Some people use a combination — for example, Medicare covers skilled nursing, Medicaid covers some personal care, and the family pays for additional hours.
How to find out what you can afford
Before you contact Visiting Angels or another private home care company, think about your budget and what services you actually need. Write down the tasks you struggle with — bathing, meal prep, housekeeping, medication reminders, transportation — and how many hours per week you need help.
Call Visiting Angels or a similar agency in your area and ask for a rate quote. Rates are usually hourly and may be higher for evening, weekend, or overnight care. Ask whether they offer a free initial consultation so you can discuss your needs without obligation.
At the same time, ask your doctor whether you might may have access to for Medicare home health services. If your doctor agrees that skilled care is medically necessary, Medicare will cover it at no cost to you (beyond your regular Part B premium). This can reduce the amount you need to pay privately.
Questions to ask your doctor
Before you hire private care, have a conversation with your doctor about what you need. Ask: "Do I need any skilled nursing or therapy that Medicare would cover?" If the answer is yes, your doctor can place an order with a Medicare-certified home health agency, and you will not pay for those visits.
Also ask: "What should I watch for that would mean I need medical care rather than personal care?" For example, if you fall and cannot get up, that is a medical emergency. If you forget to take your blood pressure medication, that might be a sign you need a nurse to manage your medications rather than just a companion to remind you.
Your doctor can also refer you to a social worker or discharge planner who can help you sort out what services you need and what resources might be available to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Medicare Advantage to pay for Visiting Angels?
Some Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) offer supplemental benefits that may include limited in-home care or personal information. These benefits vary widely by plan and by state. Call your plan's customer service number to ask whether in-home care is covered and what you would pay. Do not assume it is covered — you must check your specific plan.
What if I need help after I come home from the hospital?
If your hospital stay was at least three days, Medicare Part A will cover skilled nursing and home health services for up to 60 days after discharge. Your hospital discharge planner will arrange this with a Medicare-certified agency. If you need help beyond what Medicare covers, you can hire private care to fill the gap.
Does Medicaid pay for Visiting Angels?
Medicaid may cover in-home personal care, but it does not specifically contract with Visiting Angels. You would need to use a Medicaid-certified home care agency in your state. Contact your state Medicaid office to find out which agencies are approved and what services are covered where you live.
What happens if I cannot afford any in-home care?
Talk to your doctor, a social worker, or call 211 to explore options. Some communities have volunteer visitor programs, senior centers that offer transportation and meals, or faith-based organizations that help with housekeeping or yard work. Area Agencies on Aging also connect seniors to low-cost or free services in your area.
Can I deduct the cost of Visiting Angels on my taxes?
In most cases, no. Personal care and household help are not tax-deductible medical expenses. However, if a doctor orders in-home care as part of a medical treatment plan, a small portion might may have access to — ask a tax professional or your accountant. Keep receipts and documentation from your doctor in case the IRS questions the deduction.